Lina Inverse

What do you need to protect the Seyruun treasures for? Did Daddy call you? You’re far from the vault.

Miss Lina! I… umm… What brings you here?

“Oh, here, there, everywhere. That is… a secret, I suppose, ahaha.”

Xellos was fighting with himself, holding the sorceress in his arms.

She was asleep and it would be so easy to take her now: rush deep into her mind, find the Chaos and…

The Mazoku carefully lead the mare among roots on the path so she wouldn’t need to jump over them, and disturb Lina’s rest.

The sorceress fell asleep. She fell asleep in his arms! She asked him for that and it was the greatest sign of trust from her side. 

No matter how his need is intense, every move against her will would crash this thin layer of feeling comfortable around him, and Xellos didn’t want to lose Lina.

If it would be any other mortal, he would have no remorse with attacking, even killing, and taking what is his. But this girl, without her powers fragile like the rest of her race, was valuable for him not only as a vessel for the Chaos. Xellos enjoyed her like no one in his long life. Even Lei Magnus wasn’t such interesting for him. The demon realized that he likes Lina, and for now he was sure such feeling like sympathy wasn’t available for Monsters.

Except of all this… It had never happened for him to also trust someone and now this little fierce redhead creature held a few of his secrets he never dared to share with anyone. He also never let himself to show his true emotions to anybody. It was always a game just like a cat plays with a mouse. The fact Lina was aware that he suffered, that he is confused with lack of control over himself and as far she didn’t use it for her own advantage was special for him. Is it that ‘friendship’ she was talking about? The thin and sensitive thread of trust?

When Lina corrected her head on his chest, unconsciously pushing its top in the convenient bow between his chin and the collarbone, falling deeper in her sleep, Xellos used the opportunity to inhale the air full of her scent. How could it be she smelled so alluring? The girl’s cheek was supported against his false clothes, so Xellos readjusted his form a little, experimenting with the fabric, trying to make it more sensitive on a touch. Oh, if he only could wrap himself like that around her naked body. Her outfit was a barrier from sensation that would give him even more pleasure. The raw Monster in him was screaming in need, but the Beast Priest’s part (more patient and clever) was much stronger, knowing that it was possible to achieve more if played the game correctly. And there was also the third part of him, that new part of Xellos that actually was liking Lina, worrying about the sorceress who had rather extreme few days behind her. He needed her healthy and strong like always. The horror of this night  influent her, and it surprised Xellos that her negative emotions don’t taste him. Just like  cake which is much too sweet to the level even a bite causes illness. Could it be the Chaos in Lina does that? Makes him not wanting her suffering and sad, but quite the opposite.

Before they achieved the New Sairaag Xellos felt half intoxicated by having Lina so close.

Even the thought of ending their way back spoiled the Mazoku’s mood, but again, the girl’s comfort was above his own. He considered to put a sleeping spell on her and gently move her back to her bed, but she had her bandana on. Taking it off could wake Lina up, so Xellos resigned.

It was an early morning, however the city was still quiet and dreaming.

Well, they would return the horse first, and then it depends of Lina if she wants go back to Sylphiel’s home on her legs or maybe Xellos would take her there flying. 

Anyway they achieved the stable which were a few boxes with hay without roof, then tried to awake the redhead girl, stroking her cheek gently with his thumb.

“Please be patient, Miss Lina. Soon you will be in bed.” He slid down from the saddle and carefully helped her to jump down. The mare seemed to be rather gloomy when the demon took off the saddle and bridle from the animal, placing it in her box. The horse whined unhappy and reached the big head, pushing soft nose into Lina’s chest, protesting against leaving her here.

Xellos raised his eyebrows then he suddenly noticed a small label on the wooden gate: FOR THE BUTCHER.

“Oh,” murmured Xellos surprised.

“Who are you?” It was a sleepy horse-boy who approached yawning broadly.

“Oh, we are just accidental walkers. My friend likes horses and wanted to give them some pet.” Xellos smiled at the boy. 

He scratched his head in confusion.

“Yeah. I suppose this one deserves some pet in her last day. Her previous owner sold her yesterday to the butcher, because he has bought a younger and stronger one.”.

Xellos blinked then looked at Lina and the mare snorting softly and sniffing the girl just in case she had any hidden carrots.

The Mazoku smiled trying to feel the sorceress emotions correctly.

“What do you think, Miss Lina? In the place we are going there is no inns or shops so we have to take own food supplies. Say just a word and it will happen.”

Lina had been half asleep when Xellos helped her down so she peacefully went along with it. Her mare friend not wanting her to leave made her chuckle and lead to a few more good pats to the lovely spotted gray neck. Her amusement turned to surprise when she heard Xellos tell the boy a blatant lie. Intriguing, and something she’d have to ask him about when they were alone.

But then the boy said that the mare would be butchered the following day and her curiosity was replaced with indignant rage. The boy wasn’t responsible for it, of course, and she didn’t want to blow up at a child. But still..

“She’s plenty strong and not even that old! What the hell?!” She examined the mare with the eye of a merchant’s daughter. Without the saddle and blanket she could see signs of healed lashes. Her anger turned white hot and then chillingly cold. She’d seen this before. Horses beaten to pull far more than was safe or healthy for them to carry. Over time they would either break physically, mentally, or become too stubborn to be of much use to their abusive owners. This mare seems to have fallen into the last category and her former master had gotten himself another beast to abuse for a few years.

Xellos’ next words initially confused her. No supplies.. Was he hinting they take the horse meat for themselves from the butcher?? Oh. He meant bring her along as a means to carry more supplies for Lina. 

“She’s a smart girl, so sure. Let’s bring this beauty along with us. And have a few words with her former owner, if we can find him.” She looked into Xellos’ eyes, knowing he could feel the murder radiating off her despite her pleasant tone for the young lad’s ears. “I’d like to have a few words with him. And maybe get a pair of horses for a bigger cart for our travels.”

The Mysterious Priest was quite sure he misheard or his hungry mind made him a trick. That’s why he looked at the sorceress frowning and examining her emotions quickly. It wasn’t a mistake. She was embarrassed and her pride was almost whining because Lina had to ask him for help.

Xellos didn’t know if he should be happy or even more worried. If Lina asked him for something like that she for sure was in a rather miserable state. 

At the end of his tongue were dozens of questions, but then he decided Lina really isn’t in the state for teasing or mind battle. The sorceress really had to rest and he… 

Xellos shivered thinking about the perspective of the way back. 

He corrected stirrups again for his own height, then approached Lina and gathered her in his arms without a word, placing her  on the saddle with both her legs on the one horse’s side, then with one skilled jump he placed himself behind her, and corrected Lina’s position so she could hide her face safely in his chest and covered her petite body with her and then his mantle so cold wind couldn’t get under her clothes. In the warm nest of his arms the sorceress was safe.

Xellos’ lips wanted to dance on the crown of her head but he quickly reminded himself Lina wouldn’t tolerate his affection. The Mazoku inhaled her scent instead. Deeply, and greedy.

It was not much but her warmth made him feel much better, like everything was in the proper place. She and he should be one, connected with the eternal power of Chaos. When Lina would understand it? When would she accept she is destined to him because she is a vessel to the Sparkle of the Lord of Nightmares? 

What is she planning? Would she betray him? She talked about friendship but maybe it is for cheating him? Would she decide to attack and kill him if she ever discovered a way to free herself from the power that lives in her?

Xellos didn’t believe in that friendship bullshit. Everyone always follows only their own needs. No matter if it is Lina, Amelia, Zelgadis or even Gourry.

The mare turned back into the forest.

“Do you feel comfortable enough, Miss Lina?” He whispered into her ear, blowing into her neck with warm air.

Her cheek eventually rested against against his chest. Despite knowing that his clothes weren’t real they felt real enough she could almost forget that he was getting some direct contact from it. His breath tickled her neck, causing a tiny shiver but she rubbed the sensation off with her shoulder.

“Aah.” Lina made a quiet affirmative sound, not putting words to it. She was trying to enjoy being wrapped up and held, and to settle in for a nap. Xellos would keep her safe, the mare would keep them moving, and her mantle covering most of her body maintained her modesty.

She definitely didn’t want to do this often, but for now, so soon after the horrors of the cave and the poison, pain, and curses she had recently withstood she allowed herself this moment of indignity. 

Her emotions were so intense that not only Xellos felt them. The mare came closer and brushed her giant head against Lina’s arm with a soft neigh.

The Mazoku let the girl push him away (again!), devouring the chaos in the sorceress’ mind. It was delicious: the terror she saw and her emotion of being helpless in the situation. Normally Xellos would enjoy it, but at the moment, he blocked the nice feeling, so it wouldn’t affect him too much. Lina wasn’t just a random mortal. Her comfort was important for her cooperation with him. Building the distance wasn’t in the Mysterious Priest business.

“We will discuss it when we return Miss Sylphiel home.” he agreed. He felt so unsure about Lina’s conversation with the shopkeeper. Not that she would do what the poor mortal advised. It wasn’t about that, but… He had to confirm his worries later.

“Try to not think about his death. It’s not your fault, Miss Lina. Here, give a treat to the greedy nag.” He smiled not really knowing how to cheer up the girl, pushing an apple into Lina’s hand to distract her a little from the shock, then approached the horse’s side, trying to adjust stirrups so the sorceress could sit more comfortably on the way back, not offering her his closeness this time. In the current circumstances, Lina had to decide when she needs him. He can’t lose her, pushing his luck. He could stand it. Somehow. 

The demon ignored own pulsing needs using his strong will.

“I ... know.” She almost robotically accepted the apple and offered it to the mare, giving her pets to her neck. It was calming, centering to care for an animal, especially one that seemed to appreciate any scrap of kindness she offered. Not unlike Xellos right now, she mused, bringing a mildly amused smirk to her lips.

He had earned a reward, she supposed. And she had earned a nap. “Xellos? If you promise to not be weird about it, I’d like to rest for the trip back. It’s cold, I’m tired, and I need to think about things that didn’t just happen. So if you don’t mind.. I... wouldn’tmindifyouheldmeandkeptmewarm.” The words came out in a rush as if they were a single word. 

She touched her forehead to the mare’s, closing her eyes and letting her cheeks burn. Asking for help wasn’t something that came to her naturally but with the situation being what it was, and knowing Xellos wouldn’t ask for fear of pushing her away, it was the only option.

She said it just in time because the horse was already nervous. 

Xellos quickly grabbed the mare, not releasing Lina from his embrace, easily carrying her with one arm like she was light like a feather. Before he wasn’t sure she was alright and not in shock he couldn’t let Lina decide by herself.

The Mazoku stopped on the glade illuminated by the moon and stars, and let the mare interest again with grass, then gently put Lina on the ground, his fosforize eyes filled with worries about her. 

“Are you wounded?” he asked, shoving gently the girl’s locks away from her face. “Look at me, please.” He tried to check her pupils’ reactions and his aura licked Lina desperately examining her also from the Astral Plane. “Don’t do this to me anymore. I almost lost you twice in last three days.”

He seemed so genuinely concerned about her wellbeing that Lina nearly forgot it wasn’t really about her. He was desperate to not lose access to the golden spark inside her. “M’fine,” she said, quietly, and leaned away from his touch. “I mean, y’know, thanks for checking but nothing hurts.” She finally met his gaze for a long moment before saying, sincerely, “Thank you. For helping. I’d’ve been roasted for sure.” 

With a frustrated sound she pulled away to pace. Her emotions were tumultuous. She had been given a big clue about the identity of the one who authorized deadly force against her, someone the shopkeeper had honestly seemed to believe was in league with mazoku. Like genuinely and willingly in league with destroying the world, not just trapped by a situation into working with one. “There must have been a hell of a lot of money offered to get him to risk coming after me if he was so convinced I was such an evil witch,” she mused aloud. “Enough to be worth the risk. Enough to be worth allowing that spell to be placed on him. And enough that the sorcerer made it powerful enough to destroy anyone hearing the information as well as the blabbermouth.”

His screams still echoed in her ears. She’d heard many death cries in her life, but his were particularly traumatizing. Despite her reputation she wasn’t heartless or without empathy. She had been hoping to convince Xellos to simply snap his neck since she knew the man was already marked for death. But to suffer so much, his skin boiling and sizzling before bursting and exploding outward with a horrific stench--

The shopkeeper nodded.

“Fine. You know him I suppose. He was among those who decided about giving you the color. You should begin the research in… AAAAAAARGHHHHH!” Suddenly the man exploded with green flames which burnt alive him and all around too.

Xellos thanked the Mother of Everything he hadn’t left Lina without protection. The black cone pinned to her clothes in a blink of an eye changed into a shadow that covered the girl like an umbrella protecting from fire.

When the explosion had ended, leaving a black burnt corpse stinking and still smoking around, the shadow that covered Lina moved, slowly materializing in Xellos form, pressing her desperately to his chest.

“Before you ask! It wasn’t me who killed him” the Mazoku whispered with a serious tone.“The one who ordered talismans really wants to hide their personality. Are you alright, Miss Lina?" 

He still kept his invisible shields around them to keep still lingering heat far away from his treasure girl, but in the next moment he lift her into his arms, kissing her forehead before he was able to stop this instinct, and carried Lina outside. No matter what, she needed fresh air.

He was scared, and Xellos rarely was scared. Even thought that he could lose the redhead sorceress made him trembling of despair.

Lina had backed away from the shopkeeper the moment she saw the fire erupt around him but the heat increased far more rapidly than she could flee. She knew instantly that this spell was designed to not only kill the shopkeeper should he reveal too much but also anyone around him in order to prevent any information leaked from getting back to him. Instinctively she reached for an ice spell to buy herself a moment and felt only a fraction of what she needed respond to her demand-oh shit, that’s right. Her time without magic was still strong. She could pull nearly enough mana to cast anything worth more than a snowball in hell. 

And then a cool, familiar black energy swirled protectively in front of her, blocking the heat that had started to sting her eyes and skin. Relief washed over her, and shame. The entire exchange had happened in a matter of moments, and she knew that once more she was in the monster’s debt for his quick action. 

She watched the corpse smoke before Xellos’ arms were noticed and his words were processed. Lina had seen a fair amount of death, but this had been a particularly horrific one. She hadn’t even reacted to him pressing his lips to her forehead before they were out of the cave.

"But Miss Lina!” Xellos almost whined when she dragged him out of the cave. Didn’t she know she can’t leave alone with the man? He was a sorcerer after all, gods be damned! And she still had “her days”. 

The Mazoku quickly used the opportunity the girl still kept him tightly and sticked to her clothes a small part of himself. Lina shouldn’t notice a small black cone pinned to the fabric. Just in case! How could she be so reckless?

Left in front of the cave Xellos sent Lina a glare of an abandoned puppy.

The mare interrupted eating grass and snorted like she laughed at the Mazoku.

“Oh, shut up.” murmured the demon with bleeding pride.

***

The shopkeeper looked at Lina, suddenly tired with the situation.

“I can’t tell you. It’s impossible. My customer sealed his name, so I can’t tell or even write it.” He sobbed. “All I wanted was only good business.” The man shifted on his knees in Lina’s direction. “Please kill me! Do it! I don’t want to look into those evil eyes again!” He begged. “And if you tell the truth and you are this beast’s hostile too, go to the Guild and hand over talismans, begging them for help in setting you free. Isn’t it a good price? He is scared of that possibility. He tries to manipulate you to not look for help, dragging you more into his dark plans. You heard what he said: the sorcerers would be troublesome for him. He is insane. I’ve seen the madness in him when he was talking about you when he tortured me. He isn’t going to set you free no matter what. I thought you agreed for this fate, but if you still fight, do like I said! And please! Kill me instead of him.” Tears covered the dirty prisoner’s face.

***

Xellos frowned hearing the conversation through the Astral Plane. Letting Miss Lina to see with this trash was a mistake. Would she let the shopkeeper mess with her mind? Would Lina decide to fight with the Mazoku, trying to get rid of him or maybe… she truly believed in their “friendship”?

Lina listened raptly to the man’s plea. It made sense that the name would be sealed. And yet.. 

“I know all that.” She smiled faintly, sadly. Xellos couldn’t hear her down here, right? “He’s never going to leave me alone. Never going to give up tempting me into a Pledge. And if I don’t agree one day he might curse me with some form of immortality until I do.”

She left out that she had noticed Xellos was doing his best to isolate her from her friends to make her dependent on him and make it seem like he’s the only one she could rely on. That he was trying to get her to agree to go on a very long journey without her best friend and bodyguard, who helps keep her grounded and safe..

She backed away from the man. “But humans aren’t meant to house the power of the Sea, and he knows about ancient magics that are lost to us that might be able to help me send it back to where it came from. So even if I have to put up with him following me around the rest of my life I’m willing to risk my own life to protect everyone else.” She gave a shrug of her petite shoulders. “Well! Back to business.” 

She rose back to her feet and crossed her arms. “You don’t need to tell me the name, just whatever you can. A town, a position, a description. Anything that could clue me to the right person so I can let Xellos get his revenge for someone trying to hurt his favorite pawn without hurting innocent people. Because as of right now all he’s got to go on is that they’re in the sorcerer’s guild around your area, and he’s perfectly capable of killing all of them.” She tilted her head musing aloud. “Actually, it’d be easy for him, even all at once. He once slaughtered an entire clan of gold dragons in one attack during the Koma War after all, he’s gotten stronger since then, and a handful of humans are nothing compared to that. I’ve seen mazoku much weaker than him shrug off a Dragon Slave. And I’m the only human who might be able to get one of my spells from the Sea of Chaos off to do lasting damage and he knows it so would be prepared to dodge anything I threw at him...”

Her burst of anger and her attack was so sudden it made Xellos gasp… of surprised pleasure and pain, remaining still and letting his mortal companion release the punishment on him.

Their prisoner’s eyes widened so much there was a possibility they could drop out on the view what this terrible beast let this girl does with him.

Xellos enjoyed so much her tight grip on him, almost dreaming it would never end, even if the squeeze was so tight it could damage him if was mortal.

“Really, Miss Lina?” He teased her half amused. “I’ve meant our planned journey. You remember about it, right?" 

His amethyst irises eyed her in the challenge then they turned towards the shopkeeper. "Of course all Miss Lina said is true. She is an innocent maiden and me, the awful mazoku, hunts on her pure soul like a wolf.” Then his smile became wicked when he looked again at the sorceress. “And if we are revealing to our guest so much, why not say everything, hm? We don’t want to be hypocrites hiding facts, hm? Like when you…”

… kissed me during the connections or when you accepted my kiss consciously and clearly enjoyed it? And that you like me? And want to call me a friend?

He was ready to say it aloud in a second.

Lina could guess what he was about to say. Or at least imply. “SHUT UP ALREADY!” Xellos would be hurled back the way they had entered the cave. “And stay there until I call you back in, you impossible jerk!” 

She huffed a moment, breathing hard before she practically flopped back into a sitting position. She sat in silence for a long moment before addressing the other human seriously, and very quietly. “Look, mister. You and I both know that you’re pretty much screwed, here. The mazoku have ways to deal with humans that are worse than death, or the petty torture you got today. Have you ever seen someone cursed with Raugnut Rushavna? I have, twice. It’s not.. not something I want to see again.”

She paused, recalling the foolish Daymia’s fate. Tarimu’s wasn’t much better, becoming a head in a jar for experimentation. And then the two fallen kings and how she wasn’t certain she’d done enough in her fight with the one who cursed them to similarly free them.

“I’ve only got so much influence over Xellos,” she’d say after her pause. “He already sees me as belonging to him, I think. He’s just humoring me denying him because it’s fun for him and he tries to pretend that he respects my will. So you and I both know he’s going to deal with you how he sees fit, in the end. Which means, the more information you give him the more likely I’ll be able to convince him to make it quick instead of slow, or even worse, screaming in agony until he’s finally destroyed. And also to leave your family and friends out of it so they don’t join your punishment.”